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By Vanessa Ogle
Brooklyn Daily
Bay Ridge had Hubert Selby, Jr., Boerum Hill has Jonathan Lethem — and now, Marine Park has Mark Chiusano.
The 23-year-old Marine Park native will release his first book, “Marine Park: Stories,” on July 30. The tome is a collection of short stories drawn from Chiusano’s experiences growing up in an area of Brooklyn he believes is often overlooked. Surrounded by green space instead of subway stops, he said it sometimes didn’t even feel like he was living in New York.
“Forget about New York City — it feels like you’re in a different state,” said Chiusano, who now lives in Cobble Hill.
The fictionalized coming-of-age stories center around the lives of two brothers, and include tales of mundane experiences — such as shoveling snow and buying an air conditioner — alongside those of the neighborhood’s hidden mob activity. Once they grow up, the boys ultimately have to make a choice — continue to live the life their parents chose, which means buying a house in the neighborhood and settling down, or embarking on their own journeys elsewhere.
“The generation now coming-of-age in Marine Park is deciding that,” said Chiusano, whose parents still live in Marine Park.
The young author, who graduated from Harvard University in 2012, ultimately opted to move further north, but says there are parts of his childhood ’hood that he still loves — especially its eponymous park.
“The park itself — it’s one of the most under appreciated parks in the city,” he said.
Chiusano believes he is fortunate to be releasing a book about Brooklyn at a time when outside interest in the borough is high — even if his Brooklyn is different to the one of popular imagination.
“It’s a great thing that happened at the right time,” said Chiusano. “I’m happy to bring a little of that love to Brooklyn.”
Mark Chiusano will launch “Marine Park: Stories” at BookCourt [163 Court St. between Pacific and Dean streets in Boerum Hill, (718) 875–3677, www.bookcourt.com]. July 30 at 7 pm. Free.